Ghost of Yotei Detail Seemingly Confirms Which Tsushima Ending Is Canon

Some Ghost of Yotei players believe that a specific detail in the game confirms which of the two endings from the first entry in the franchise is considered canon. The theory continues a year-long pattern of Sucker Punch sending mixed signals regarding the canonicity of Ghost of Tsushimas ending.

Final spoilers for Ghost of Tsushima and minor spoilers for Ghost of Yotei ahead.

Sucker Punch was up if Ghost of Yotei takes place over 300 years after Ghost of Tsushima from the moment it revealed its latest game in September 2024. This timeline confirmed that Jin Sakai, the protagonist of the original title, would not be alive during the events of the sequel. However, the developer did not reveal whether the second game would mention him beyond superficial, Easter egg-like references. As it turns out, it would.

Ghost of Yotei possibly refers to Ghost of Tsushima's “Reserve” ending

Ghost of Yotei contains Jin's final resting place. Without spoiling anything else, it can be said that the location is hard to miss. Some players exploring the burial grounds have observed that it is filled with red leaves from Japanese maple trees (Acer palmatum), a visual motif that appears in Ghost of Tsushimaends with Jin sparing Lord Shimura. This has led some to interpret the detail as proof that the “extra” ending is canon. However, others argue that the Japanese maple is simply a symbol associated with the Sakai family and appears in both endings, although not equally emphasized.

Sucker Punch continues to send mixed signals about the Ghost of Tsushima Canon ending

Shortly after the first game's release in July 2020, director Nate Fox said that Lord Shimura was spared in Ghost of Tsushima was the game's “true ending” during a Kinda Funny Gamescast interview. That comment would have settled the canonicity debate for good if the developer didn't later appear to reverse course and send mixed signals about which ending is the true one. Most recently, Fox claimed that “both endings are valid” in a MinnMax interview conducted shortly before the launch of Ghost of Yoteideclines to confirm either as canon.

GoT director says Sparing Lord Shimura is the 'true ending' (July 2020)

GoT Director Says 'Both Endings Are Valid' (September 2025)

Whether or not the Red Leaves truly confirm that Lord Shimura survived the events of the first game, Fox's latest comments suggest that it ultimately doesn't matter, at least not in the context of the sequel. The series is intended as more of an anthology, so fans may never get a definitive answer on canonicity from Sucker Punch, or at least not one that isn't prone to change. The choice to set the sequel three centuries later implies Ghost of Yotei can be played even without experiencing Ghost of Tsushimaand is thus maximally available.